Pride

For Veteran's Day, our school put on its annual musical program that draws a huge crowd. This time it was the second grade's turn to sing patriotic songs and remind us about sacrifice. I took Ian and Ainsley to the evening program so we could watch together.

I know they really don't understand what it means to be a soldier. Actually, I am relieved they haven't had to worry about such things, even though one of my cousins spent years in Iraq as a Marine. The horrors of all that are too much for them to comprehend.

They do understand respect for service and honor. During the program as photos of their classmates' family members flashed on the video screen at the front of the room, they watched closely and read the names out loud. The last military branch to be applauded was the Air Force. I held Ian's left shoulder and Ainsley's right and said, "Watch closely and tell me if you see anyone you know."

Their eyes stared at the screen until the last picture came up and they read their grandfather's name. They gasped and jumped up and down, "It's Grandpa! It's Grandpa!" Each of them squeezed me and grinned - no, beamed with pride!

Whether they currently understand exactly what his contribution was is not as important as the fact that they recognize that someone they love did something very brave for people he didn't even know. They can learn the rest of the story later when its impact will be more profound in their eyes. Right now, being proud of grandpa is very cool.